Meet the Canadian women’s soccer team that will go for Olympic gold

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This article was published 05/08/2021 (1520 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Canadian women’s soccer team will go for Olympic gold for the first time on Friday (8 a.m. ET). The start time against Sweden was pushed back to 9 p.m. local in Tokyo because of heat concerns.

Canada arrived with one goal: changing the colour of the medal after bringing home bronze from back-to-back Olympics. That’s guaranteed, with that colour to be determined over 90-plus minutes at Yokohama Stadium.

Here’s a look at Canada’s lineup, with hometown and how they’ve fared on the road to the big game:

Projected starters

Stephanie Labbé

Goalkeeper, Edmonton

The 34-year-old ’keeper suffered a rib injury in Canada’s opener against Japan and missed a match and a half. Since then, she’s been putting her body on the line to make one big save after another.

Ashley Lawrence

Fullback, Caledon, Ont.

At 26, Canada’s best player in the tournament has displayed defensive instincts, a nose for creation and speed that’s hard to match.

Vanessa Gilles

Centre back, Ottawa

The 25-year-old has quickly become a defensive mainstay, not shy about going in for a tackle and providing an aerial presence at both ends of the field.

Kadeisha Buchanan

Centre back, Brampton

The only Canadian to play every minute of their run to the gold-medal match hasn’t received a ton of attention, a sign of how quietly effective she’s been on defence at age 25.

Allysha Chapman

Fullback, Courtice, Ont.

The 32-year-old veteran logs many kilometres up and down the wings, and is no stranger to debating calls.

Quinn

Midfielder, Toronto

The 25-year-old has experience at multiple positions and provides an important link between the defence and midfield.

Desiree Scott

Midfielder, Winnipeg

Known as The Destroyer, the 34-year-old veteran supplies an extra layer of defence and has been everywhere the team has needed her to be.

Jessie Fleming

Midfielder, London, Ont.

The 23-year-old scored the semifinal winner against the Americans, but it’s creation where she excels. At her best, she pulls all the strings behind Canada’s three strikers.

Nichelle Prince

Striker, Ajax, Ont.

At 26, she leads the team in assists. Her cuts to the middle from the wings have added a valuable dimension to the attack.

Janine Beckie

Striker, Highlands Ranch, Colo.

The 26-year-old dual citizen leads Canada with two goals in Tokyo, after scoring three at Rio 2016.

Christine Sinclair

Striker, Burnaby, B.C.

At 38, the international game’s greatest goal scorer has taken on more of a playmaking role. She hobbled off the field in the semifinal, but missing an Olympic final would be very unlike Sinclair.

Potential subs

Julia Grosso

Midfielder, Vancouver

The 20-year-old has regularly subbed for Quinn when Canada looks for more of an attacking option in midfield.

Jordyn Huitema

Striker, Chilliwack, B.C.

At 20, she’s been likened to Sinclair and billed as Canada’s next out-and-out forward. But she can also join Sinclair for a different look up front.

Adriana Leon

Striker, King City, Ont.

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The 28-year-old impact sub has a nose for the net, scoring against Britain in group play, and gives the Canadians a more direct route to goal.

Deanne Rose

Striker, Alliston, Ont.

Her speed and dogged pursuit of defenders created Canada’s game-winning penalty-shot opportunity in the semifinals. The 22-year-old usually subs in for Prince and injects immediate energy.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy